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Release Date: Aug. 2, 2023
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040
 On Wednesday, METRO leadership, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, former State Rep. Garnet Coleman, State Rep. Jolanda Jones and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis along with community members celebrated the rededication of an art installation by renowned artist Floyd Newsum.
"The Tower" was originally installed in 2014 at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Griggs Road along the METRORail Purple Line.
After receiving feedback from Coleman and the Third Ward community, the sculpture was relocated to a more prominent area near that intersection and additional lighting was added to ensure the public can enjoy the piece at any time of day.
"METRO's commissioning of 'The Tower' is an example of how public art can enhance the overall experience of public transportation, contribute to the identity of the transit system and the community that it serves," said METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran.
The installation is part of The Authority's commitment to urban design which focuses on the look, feel and function of public spaces to shape quality of life in the region.
METRO's Arts in Transit Program aims to bring character into transit spaces with imagery that reflects community identity and the region's unique diversity.
"Art deals with the human condition and public art makes sure that people know that their community is something they can embrace," said Coleman. "This enhances our city and it enhances our quality of life."
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A plaque was added to the platform of the piece, which reads:
"This sculpture was created and installed as part of METRO's Arts in Transit program for the METRORail Purple Line. It embodies the spirit of rebirth and heritage. Pyramids are used to reflect a sense of revival and growth in the community."
Along with commissioned sculptures near METRORail lines, METRO also built art into the structure of rail platforms and continually collaborates with the community to create a vision for new and existing transit surroundings.
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 Watch the full rededication event here.
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The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail, which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT Express Lanes, curb2curb microtransit service and METRO Star Vanpool. In 2020, the Authority introduced the METRORapid Silver Line, the region’s first bus rapid transit service. Bike & Ride programs and road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the Houston region. Focused on investing in the region’s future mobility needs, the Authority developed the METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRO is also the first transit provider in the region to pilot autonomous vehicle shuttle technology. Learn more about METRO services at RideMETRO.org, where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone. |
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